Colored tights might be the way to offset all your basics

Are they the solution to staying dressed in your easiest clothes for the rest of the winter without feeling boring?

You know what I realized from making this story? That the best thing a pair of colored tights can give you is permission to stay in the clothes you wear when you don’t have the headspace to think about getting dressed, or are just uninspired, or just can’t be bothered to step out of your lame ass navy pants (me rn) but know you want to look like made an effort and actually feel like you had fun while doing it.

Example:

By Malene Birger shirt, good khakis here, or here for a tapered fit, Cashmere in Love sweater around waist, these are the tights I’m wearing and here are good green shoes you might like ($170 by The Attico!). The bracelets and ring are Paola Sighinolfi

Khaki button down shirt and straight pants with a shirt around my waist to create more shape. This tenet is not one I applied for every outfit here but it’s on my mind as I’ve been working on the What to Wear to Dinner package.m. With white tights, I couldn’t unsee Chanel couture and so you’re left with plenty of interpretations of that

The most literal of the loot with a suit my mom wore to my oldest brother’s bar mitzvah (I shortened the skirt). The tights are from Calzedonia, the tank top is Khaite and the short strand of pearls are by Roxanne Assoulin. Also, I am stunned by how practical a strap that goes across the ankle (as opposed to around it) on a pair of sandals can be. Trick is to make sure it’s under the ankle — not in that spot that cuts you off.

But I’m going to say it again because it’s good to remember: colored tights are a great way to stick to your most reliable clothes without feeling like a bore.

These are the tights I’m wearing, these are the shoes, these are an alt for the shoes. Or maybe it’s about the$e

The little splash of color adds so much.

I tested out 5 color tights for this story —

• Red

• Cobalt blue

• White

• Yellow

• And violet purple

Here's how it went.

Red

Shirt sandwich coming in hot with a white cotton Splendid turtleneck, Bally blue button down shirt (kind of love this short sleeve one), black Vince cardigan sweater vest and here’s a good blazer to style with it. The leggings are Lululemon, but I actually prefer Alo Yoga’s. (Just got this and fully planning to wear as cat suit with open back mules)

Here are some good red tights, and the sandals are old Celine. I’ll show you how I get my tights to stay like this further down

On the heels of the release of The Row’s Pre-Fall 2024 look book, there’s never been a better time to style tights under your capris. I don’t have proper suiting capris, so I used these leggings instead. The one thing I’d recommend, even if you’re not interesting in the sweatervest/shirt combo is that a relatively full coverage blazer (hits on or below butt) gives the outfit a bit of polish.

Cobalt blue

Rixo leopard coat (I love this one from A.L.C. too), J. Crew cableknit sweater (I wear a medium, Alexander McQueen skirt

I found these Manolos on The Real Real while I was breastfeeding one time 6yrs ago. Here’s the Staud pair ($295), or for a different direction that is super flirty, these.

With this one, I worked my way up from the tights and shoes knowing I’d want to pair a neutral-colored look with the electric combination of red and blue based on same logic that defined the monochromatic khaki look at top of the post. I did not omit the possibility, though, that at least one of such garments could be more interesting than a basic pair of pants or whatever. Added the coat for the fuck up effect (it’s good to look a little weird!), but tbh, leopard print is kind of a neutral.

White

Chloe ruffle collar top (but here is a tasteful collar you can use on any other shirt), Khaite jean jacket (this is the best comp for shape) and shorts, Toteme dishwashing gloves (these from Vince are chic, or if you’re after something to keep on, how about these stretch jersey ones

These are the tights I’m wearing (and the shoes are Chanel).

There are two instances whereby I feel most naturally like myself. The first is when I have a microphone in my hand, the second is when I’m wearing multiple layers of denim. Had initially styled this with a plain white turtleneck and would encourage you do that if you don’t have an elaborate collar.

I bought this top (Chloe from the era of Natasha Ramsay-Levi) after I saw it on Alissa (of High Sport, pre-High Sport) like 6 years ago. The best place to get inspired to shop is on your most stylish friends — the ones who don't post that many pics of themselves on social media. Everything feels so fresh on them, so new and unseen, you know? And the freshness creates the most indulgent impulse.

Yellow

Liberowe gold jacket (have not found a better priced comp, but this one from Emilia Wickstead makes such a good case to be worn as a dress or styled closed over a collared shirt with fun tights too), charcoal turtleneck, Cashmere in Love knickers

Here are the tights I’m wearing, this is the bag, by Altuzarra

Thought yellow was going to be the hardest to get right, but in the end, these are the tights that taught me the lesson about wearing your easiest clothes.

white button down, Leset tee styled under, Daily Blue jeans, old Celine sandals

My only note is that I couldn’t quite figure out how to make the yellow tights feel right without a red shoe in particular, which does pigeon hole them in a way.

These sandals from Proenza Schouler are like a hybrid between the shoes above and the ones you’re looking at

Purple

Wardrobe.nyc ivory blazer, Kallmeyer tie shirt, Blaze Milano jeans, Anne & Valentin sunglasses

Here are the tights, and the shoes are Gucci (here they are in a 8 for $372 and tbh, I think I like these ones more, in a 7.5 also for $372), or these in a 9 for $388 or if you’re adventurous and want to smile every time you look down all the while boasting a size 8.5 foot, here for $322.

One thing we’ve not discussed: how to get your tights to sit comfortably between your toes if you’re wearing sandals that separate them. While the sandals directly above us don’t require the tabi trick, here is the trick, along with a few (10) more looks to get your ideas re: the tights jogging at a healthy pace.

The 3-step trick